Unique Thai Tradition 17 - Thai Calendar

Thailand use the Buddhist year system which is 543 years ahead than western calendar.

Some foreigners would be astonished when they look at the calendar in Thailand. Some may be confused their date counting systems. Thailand uses Buddha years which is 542 years ahead than the year people around the world normally use.

The official calendar in Thailand is based on the Eastern version of the Buddhist Era, which is 543 years ahead of the Gregorian (western) calendar. For example, the year AD 2010 is 2553 BE in Thailand. Thai calendar's reference point is Lord Buddha's death 543 before the birth of Jesus Christ. Also their New Year's day is different from other countries.